What they're saying about us...
Below you will find articles and reviews of our cooking school in Umbria as well as comments from clients who have taken our cooking classes and those who have dined with us at Tita's house near Perugia or had a dinner catered at a villa rental.
The following are comments from clients of our cooking classes and catered dinners in Umbria for 2006.
Hello!
Richard and I had the most wonderful time learning to cook Umbrian food. We have made Tita's Pie, the chickpea soup, veal and green beans several times, including serving it at two separate Christmas dinners last year!
I apologize! It has taken us much too long to finally send you pictures as we promised.
Thanks again for a marvelous cooking class on our honeymoon!
Laura and Richard
Nonie
I just want to thank you and Tita for the incredible time we had in Umbria. We first met you when you catered the dinner when we arrived at the villa. Out of eighteen people at the dinner, many were initially acquaintances, but by the third course of your fabulous meal, we were all friends. You made the environment comfortable, warm and very inviting, not to mention the incredible food. The next time we met, it was during the cooking course.
I have to say, that was truly the highlight of my trip. We had such a good time cooking with friends, getting our hands in the dough and recipes, singing and telling stories. All of it blended into the most amazing experience during my travels. And the best part is you put together a menu that could be re-produced in the States, both in ingredients and difficulty.
You took a group of enthusiastic people, with varying levels of skills, and made them Italian chefs. I cannot wait to replicate the experience in my own home. And with your recipes that include items that can be found locally in California, I will be able to do so.
Thank you to you and Tita for the amazing time together. I plan to come back, and believe me, you two will be tops on my list to see again.
Kim Fritz
San Diego, California
Hi Nonie and Tita,
Just wanted to drop a note and thank you again for the amazing catering
and
wonderful cooking class. Both were truly a highlight of our stay in
Umbria.
You both were so warm and fun and knowledgeable that our time together was
a
real treat. The recipes you selected for the cooking class were perfect
since they are dishes cooks with limited experience can make and the
ingredients are available here at home. Most importantly, they were
delicious and fun to prepare. I would highly recommend both the
catering
and cooking class as a memorable feature of anyone's stay in the region
and
would be glad to be a reference for you. Attached are some of the
photos
that were taken during the class. As you can see, we are all having a
ball!
Thanks again!!!
Michael Groch
San Diego California
A poem from George
It's April 2006........
After renting a villa in Grutti this past spring
Then an anniversary celebration dinner for 8 we did ring.
Umbriacooks4U was called from the U.S.A.
Arrangements made for our special day!
Tita and Nonie arrived with food aplenty--
Bowls, boxes and all the"fixins" -not missing any!
A beautiful table was set, so pretty to see,
Each course was served with humor and caring with great taste the key.
From appetizers to soup to salad and main course it came,
Right down to dessert and wine - each had an interesting name.
We ate too much, loved it all and were sad when it was done.
Would we recommend it - you bet - four stars it won!!!
Call Tita and Nonie and give them a try.
They do provide the best that money can buy!
Thank you for one very special evening!
George & Jacque Coombs
Hi Nonie-
We're back in the States.....arrived on Sunday evening. Cannot tell
you what a fabulous time we had while in Bettona and with you and Tita
in our cooking class. The kids decided that we are all going to get
together again in September here in Syracuse and cook the dinner we
prepared with you.
I've participated in my share of cooking classes here in town and to
me, the most wonderful aspect of your class is that you not only
provide information on the foods to be prepared, you share such rich
and detailed information about Umbria and the style of cooking and the
use of specific ingredients to make a dish truly Umbrian. Your ability
to work with all of us despite our varying degrees of skill in the
kitchen was just terrific. Any nervousness or concern we might have
had vanished in the first few minutes.
You have a wonderfully unique and distinctive way of relating to
your students and we all commented on how warm and authentic yours and
Tita's friendship is and how your gentle teasing worked to make for an
atmosphere of both fun and genuine respect for the foods of Umbria.
This was a once in a lifetime experience for us and I cannot think
you enough for sharing your skill and love of the art of cooking with
us.....all 13 of us!!!!!
Kathy and Amir Findling
Syracuse New York
Tita and Nonie,
"During the break between the Olympic and Paralympic Games, I was looking
for an authentic Italian cooking experience. The reception we received
from you both and the hands-on cooking class were more than we could
have hoped for. The afternoon spent at Tita's house learning Umbrian
cooking wasn't just a cooking class, it was an inside look at Italian
living. We got more than an authentic Umbrian cooking class, we got two
wonderful, talented women opening their homes and lives to us in a way
that made us feel more like friends than cooking students. I can
honestly say - this day was the highlight of my stay in Italy. Thanks
for everything!"
Karen Daigle, Colorado Springs, CO
(Karen and Robyn were official members of the U.S. Olympic Committee delegation to the 2006 Torino Olympics andParalympics Games)
[See photos of their day at umbriacooks4u]
"The combined delights of Tita's pizza and Nonie's personality make a visit to their FontanaBella country cooking classes a reason to consider relocating to Umbria."
Dick Brown
Vancouver Island, Brirtish Columbia
"Oh what a most wonderful experience we had recently when Nonie and Tita (UmbriaCooks4U) prepared and served 8 of us the best home cooked Italian meal in our villa located in Grutti, Umbria. We spent 2 weeks in Italy with one week of touring and one week at the villa. We had quite a few very good meals in different ristorantes but none compared to the meal we had at our villa. Nonie and Tita are given an A+ for the most wonderful evening of our trip with the meal they served to us. Words cannot express our complete satisfaction. Only our stomachs can respond to that. You may ask - "would we recommend them". Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! We look forward to our next trip to Umbria and be assured, Nonie and Tita (UmbriaCooks4U) will be a definite activity on our schedule. You would not have a better experience. "
Sharlene and Bill Kearney - Naples, Florida
"This was by far the most enjoyable day in Italy we have had!! Thank you
for
welcoming us into your homes and educating us with the Umbrian food, wine,
and culture. We will go back to the U.S.A. with fond memories and full and
satisfied stomachs!!"
Brett and Ann Williams - Pleasanton, California
Nonie and Tita,
"cooking class was a perfect, fun way to immerse ourselves in Umbrian culture. You both instantly placed us at ease, proving to be excellent and entertaining hosts. Language was no barrier - with conversation ranging from food and politics to fashion and music. A perfect day in Umbria and we've taken home many handy cooking hints and recipies with us as well as some wonderful memories! Tiramasu was the overall favourite, however everything we cooked surpassed anything we'd had in our previous five weeks of travel. Such a fun, relaxing and informative day - we recommend it to everyone as a way to break up the stress of travel. For all of you gourmands- its the perfect way to experience hands on cooking!"
Kind Regards
Bernadette and Beth McGougan -
Australia
Tita & Nonie:
"Thanks for an absolutely WONDERFUL cooking experience. My objective was to experience Italian cooking, the Umbrian way, in a home setting and that's just what you helped me to do! The warm family atmosphere and hands on experience cooking with you in the villa were great. My family all enjoyed the results and the fact that we didn't have to clean up made it even better. So, in the end we had the best of everything - new techniques, new experiences and new friendships all done in a home setting without the cleanup! Finally, the fact that we came away with our own bound copies of recipes, special instructions etc has allowed me to recreate everything back here in the U.S.
Thanks again for one of the most memorable experiences on my recent trip to Italy!"
Warmest Regards
Susan Loconto Penta -
Boston
"We had a wonderful Umbrian evening!! We were traveling with our two young boys. The menu was perfect to introduce them to a true Umbrian meal. We all loved the hands on experience of preparing a meal. The evening was a definite highlight of our trip!!"
John and Jennifer Wright with Will and Walter - Arkansas
